She lyin'...On the Cooling Board
02/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sad & lonesome midnights need their share of blues for comfort and Skip James offers up the perfect antidote with SHE'S LYIN'. What you're getting is an eerie late night accompaniment for those nights when you've had one too many past closing time. When James' falsetto plea comes on with sentiments like "When I find her/ when I find her/ with my .44" you know the man means business. James was not only one of the Blues greats but one of the most original talents in the genre. All his classic songs are re-interpreted here, recorded during his latter years when the 60's Blues Revival was in full swing. In any form, "Devil Got My Woman" will chill the fat off your bones. "Crow Jane" gave inspiration to Nick Cave's version off his MURDER BALLADS LP but here you'll find it in it's original form. Cream had a hit with James' "I'm So Glad" but the irony of it shines here and cuts like a knife. It puts Clapton and the rest of British Blues wave to shame. James was undoubtedly an important voice in the Blues canon and this record's a good place to discover why. Check out his early recordings in the 30's and then come here to get the whole story. If you don't find it moving, go and get your heart professionally thawed."
One Of The Best Blues Songwriters
Patrick Meagher | australia | 06/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here Skip James cements his place as one of the greatest blues songwriters in history. His songs are haunting and brilliant. His fingerpicking is probably the best that i've encountered from any blues artist and his vocals are simply amazing to behold. This CD is worth at least twice the amount it is selling for. Anybody who loves acoustic blues should worship Skip James and this album is no exception."